Poisoning in Jamaican children - abstract

All admissions to the Paediatric wards of the University Hospital of the West Indies for the 12-year period, February 25, 1961 to February 28, 1973, have been examined. 130 cases of poisoning or drug overdosage were admitted during this period. 101 children (78 percent) were between the ages 1 and 4 years. The yearly incidence of admissions varied from only one case in 1962 to 18 in 1971, and 60 percent of them were admitted in the latter half of the study period. Kerosene ingestion resulting in aspiration pneumonitis was the commonest cause of poisoning. Only 2 cases of salicylate poisoning were admitted - one was mildly affected while the other due to ingestion of 'oil of winter-green' was of modern severity. Phenothiazines (13 cases), acid or caustic substances (11 cases), ferrous sulphate (10 cases), barbiturates (7 cases), ackee with toxic hypoglycaemia (6 cases), digoxin (5 cases) and organic phosphate insecticides (5 cases) accounted for most of the other admissions. 2 cases of lead poisoning and 2 children with severe vomiting and diarrhoea due to ingestion of 'Physic nut' (Jatropha curcas) were admitted and there were single cases of poisoning from a variety of toxic substances including napthalene (camphor balls), oil of chenopodium and nitrobenzene. One child was admitted following an overdose of lignocaine administered in Casualty for local anaesthesia and another from linctus codeine given for diarrhoea. 5 patients died, one from severe pneumonitis. 3 from toxic hypoglycaemia and the 5th from an unknown poison. Examination of the admission records of all children admitted to the Casualty Observation ward during a 20-month period, 1971-1972, revealed 54 cases of poisoning. 37 of these were due to kerosene ingestion and only 2 of these were admitted to the ward, the others being discharged after 1 to 3 days of observation. Many milder cases of poisoning are seen in Casualty and treated and sent home without further observation (AU)

The teratogenicity of barbital sodium in mice

The teratogenic activity of sodium barital in pregnant mice of the Rockfeller strain was investigated. A high incidence of foetal resorption and congenital malformations were observed following the i.p. administration of the barbiturate. (Summary)

The results and treatment of tetanus

This paper gives a report on the management of twenty-nine (29) cases of tetanus admitted to one hospital during a period of twelve months. The incidence of the disease was roughly the same as previous years. The number of deaths, however were markedly reduced. The poor prognosis of respiratory complication is confirmed. Three principles of therapy, high doses ATS, heavy sedation and the use of barbiturates and chlorpromazine are stressed (AU)

Surgery: post-anaesthetic excitement following intravenous administration of barbiturates

Post-anaesthetic excitement may occur in neurotic or alcoholic subjects even after heavy doses of barbiturate have been given. It may be prevented or modified by the pre-anaesthetic administration of morphia or allied drug. When present, it may be lessened or abolished by morphia (in alcoholics) or possibly by alcohol. (AU)